AIRBUS A321

TYPE: Twin-jet airliner.

PROGRAMME: Stretched version of A320. Announced 22 May and launched 24 November 1989; four development aircraft; rolled out 3 March 1993, first flight with V2530 lead engine 11 March 1993 (F-WWIA), second aircraft with alternative CFM56-5B engine in May 1993; V2530-powered version received European JAA certification 17 December 1993; CFM56-5B2-powered version certified by JAA 15 February 1994; CFM56-5B1 certified by JAA 27 May 1994; first delivery (D-AIRA to Lufthansa) 27 January 1994; first service with Lufthansa 18 March 1994. A321 powered by CFM56-5Bs passed cold-weather trials in Kiruna, January 1994; first with alternative engine handed over to Alitalia 18 March 1994. JAA approval for Cat. III automatic landings achieved in December 1994. 120-minute ETOPS granted 29 May 1996. The 100th A321 (Alitalia's I-BIXZ) flew 1 July 1998. A321 also recommended by Northrop Grumman as platform for Joint STARS, competing for NATO's Airborne Ground Surveillance requirement (later dropped) and by Raytheon for the Republic of Korea Air Force's E-X AEW&C competition.

CURRENT VERSIONS: A321-100: Initial version.A321-200: Extended-range version, launched 12 April 1995; features reinforced structure, higher-thrust versions of existing engines and optional additional centre tank (ACT), capacity 2,900 litres (766 US gallons; 638 Imp gallons) which increases maximum T-O weight to 89,000 kg (196,210 lb) and range by 350 n miles (648 km; 402 miles). A321-200 expected to have increased market appeal on North American domestic routes; charter routes between northern and southern Europe; and on scheduled routes between Europe and Middle East. First aircraft flew 12 December 1996 at Hamburg, became G-OZBC of Monarch Airlines and delivered 24 April 1997. Higher-MTOW version, with option of second ACT, launched January 1999; first customer Spanair, for delivery September 2000.A321CJ: Airbus Industrie reported to be considering a corporate version with additional fuel tanks; no formal plans to launch known by late 2003.A321 Freighter: EADS EFW conducting feasibility studies into an A321 Freighter with capacity for 14 standard pallets.

CUSTOMERS: Total of 409 sold, of which 289 delivered by 1 January 2004.

STRUCTURE: As for A320 except for airframe changes noted under Design Features; front fuselage plug by Alenia and rear one by BAE Systems; final assembly and outfitting by Airbus Deutschland at Hamburg.